The 2020 ASCB Public Service Award will be presented to Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Recipients of the annual ASCB Public Service Award are recognized for national leadership supporting biomedical research. Past recipients have been members of Congress who have demonstrated their strong support for science by providing funding for science and by standing up for cutting-edge research. Members of the ASCB community have also received the award for their leadership in science policy advocacy.
The award that will be presented to Fauci recognizes him “For a career of outstanding research, leadership, and scientific acumen during global crises caused by new and emerging diseases.” That leadership has never been more obvious than during the last seven months as he has led the United States and the world in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. His leadership became more important as the science of COVID-19 became linked with the 2020 national elections in the United States.
In prepared remarks for a Zoom presentation of the award to Fauci, ASCB’s President, Eva Nogales, recognized just how important he has been to the American public. Nogales said, “In the last seven months, as the world has suffered through COVID-19, you have told us what we NEEDED to hear, not always what we WANTED to hear. And, most of the time, most of us have responded.” Nogales continued, “The approach most people are taking to get through these months is, ‘I’ll do what Tony says,’ because of the faith they have in what you say.”
In her prepared remarks, Holly Goodson, chair of the ASCB Public Policy Committee, recognized Fauci’s scientific accomplishments. Goodson said, “We want to recognize them and the important role model you are for young biomedical researchers, in and out of the field of immunology, many of whom will be participating in our meeting and, in this current environment, may be wondering what the future of science will be like.”
The award presentation took place on November 13, 2020, over Zoom and will be shown during the Keynote symposium at the start of the Cell Bio 2020.
About the Author:
Kevin M. Wilson serves as Director of Public Policy and Media Relations for The American Society for Cell Biology. He's worked as the Legislative Director for U.S. Congressman Robert Weygand (D-RI) and as a Legislative Assistant for U.S. Senator Claiborne Pell (D-RI). He has a BA in Politics and American Government from the Catholic University of America. Email: kwilson@ascb.org
